First TU, now KU

The decline in the standing of Kathmandu University is a troubling sign for Nepal’s higher education.

Back in the 1980s, blatant politicisation was ailing Tribhuvan University (TU), Nepal’s oldest and largest. Then, Kathmandu University (KU) entered the scene in 1991 by offering top-notch education in a ‘politics-free’ environment. Students frustrated with TU’s failure to stick to the academic calendar, lengthy academic years and frequent delays in publication of examination results, turned to the new university. However, over the years, political meddling has become apparent in KU as well.